'If I have, I give'

Published: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 09:19 AM.

Volunteers are needed on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to help with the Horse and Hooves Therapeutic Riding Program at North Shelby School. Training takes an hour.

Call Kristin LaFleur at 704-538-9698 or North Shelby School at 704-487-9941 for more information.

About the Carl Carpenter Gold Heart Award

The R.H. Palmer family established the Gold Heart Award in 2011 to honor Carl Carpenter, who searched for 10 years for the owner of a photograph he found after a Belwood tornado in 1989. His simple act of kindness to return the photo changed Julia Palmer’s outlook on life and also started a chain reaction of good deeds. Carpenter died in March 2012.

Beverly Day Phillips learned the importance of giving from her father, who always said, "If you have, you give."

Because of the many hours she volunteers with the Hearts and Hooves Therapeutic Riding Program at North Shelby School, Phillips was presented the Carl Carpenter Gold Heart Award on Jan. 29. The award was created by the R.H. Palmer family to recognize acts of kindness in the community.

Every Tuesday and Thursday, Phillips takes her horses to North Shelby for therapy with the students, who have special needs.

“I’ve been doing it with them for about six years and they’ve been using my horses for about 10 years,” she said, “We go over there and we serve anywhere from 75 to 90 children.”

Phillips said her dad taught her the importance of sharing when she was 8 years old. Phillips had her own horse and her dad built a horse trailer, but they lived close enough to the show grounds that she had to ride her horse to the show grounds while leading another.

“My dad would take my horse trailer and get the other kids out of town,” she said, “I got upset, because it was my horse trailer and he said, 'We have to share so that your friends can ride with you.' He ingrained in me that you share what you have. So I learned that at a very young age. If I have, I give. If I can, I give.”

Phillips said since her retirement from teaching, she has had more time to do just that. Other than experiencing multiple concussions, she has been through cancer, melanoma, and a knee replacement. But she hasn't let that keep her from volunteering in the program.

“I’m just glad to be here every day,” she said, “I think that’s one of the reasons that I get up and go.”

'I wouldn't be where I am without her'

Phillips owns seven therapy horses, all of which are certified. Their names are Easy, Brave, Raisin, Mocha, Scoobie, Buddy Boy and Mr. Tanner. All of the horses were rescued either by the Phillips or through the non-profit organization Phillips often works with, Paws Ranch Equine Rescue in Bostic.

Kristin Norman LaFleur, an instructor in the riding program, said, "She is an amazing woman and does this whole-heartedly for the kids."

LaFleur said there's no telling how many hours Phillips spends making sure the students have horses to ride. Before Phillips brings the horses to the school at 9 a.m., she grooms them and loads them on a trailer. When she arrives at North Shelby, the horses are unloaded. Phillips is usually leading a horse and carrying the tack.

The riding program began in 1998 and Phillips was one of the original volunteers, said LaFleur.

"Beverly was my trainer," LaFleur said. "She worked so hard with me. I wouldn't be where I am without her."

'She's a great helper'

Phillips said the horses are an emotionally soothing creature that children can embrace and riding horses gives the students an opportunity to create balance in their muscular system.

Dianne Phillips, Beverly's daughter, also helps with the program, assessing and training the horses.

"I see the things she does behind the scenes and I'm very happy that it gets noticed," she said. "I'm proud of my mama. She works from sun up to sun down. She works hard at finding the right horses, training them, and testing them. Special needs children are her heart and horses are naturally."

Alexis Rials sits up tall in the saddle as Beverly Phillips walks beside her coaching her on how to stop the horse and pull back on the reigns. Phillips and another instructor tell Alexis to go right or left around the poles and barrels in the arena.

"She's a great helper," Alexis said after she dismounted.

Tara Askew rides at North Shelby School and also takes private lessons from Phillips.

"I like to give her hugs," she said.

'I've had a lot of fun doing for other people'

Private riding lessons are another aspect of Phillips’ involvement with the community. She teaches more than a dozen lessons per week, Monday through Friday, including both special needs and non-special needs kids.

Not only has she made a difference in the Hearts and Hooves program, Phillips has also been a 4H Club leader and a National Pony Club leader. She shared her ponies with her 4-H club when the members needed to complete their requirements for a project. And when Girl Scouts need their horsemanship badges, Phillips lets them do projects on her farm.

Phillips said she was the first elementary school physical education teacher hired in Shelby City Schools and started the county schools' soccer program. She also started the ski program.

Every summer, she and her husband, in association with the Boys and Girls Club and YMCA of Shelby, host fishing and canoeing camps on the pond at their farm. She holds picnic days and water safety classes for area children.

Phillips also has a therapy dog named Sasha that is certified for emotional therapy and for hospice. Phillips takes Sasha to area nursing homes and book readings at North Shelby School. Her grandson, Michael Harris, is certified to work with Sasha as well.

After the December tragedy at Sandy Hook, Phillips took Sasha to area elementary schools.

“I went to Bessemer City, to Tryon Elementary School, just to let the children have some reassurance,” said Phillips.

All in all, Phillips said, "I’ve had a lot of fun doing for other people."

Volunteers are needed on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to help with the Horse and Hooves Therapeutic Riding Program at North Shelby School. Training takes an hour.

Call Kristin LaFleur at 704-538-9698 or North Shelby School at 704-487-9941 for more information.

About the Carl Carpenter Gold Heart Award

The R.H. Palmer family established the Gold Heart Award in 2011 to honor Carl Carpenter, who searched for 10 years for the owner of a photograph he found after a Belwood tornado in 1989. His simple act of kindness to return the photo changed Julia Palmer’s outlook on life and also started a chain reaction of good deeds. Carpenter died in March 2012.

The award is presented monthly to recognize those who put others before self and prefer to stay out of the limelight. Nominate someone for the award by emailing Jackie Bridges atjbridges@shelbystar.com or calling 704-669-3337.